Will County

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

The Census reports on the level of education attained by adults
age 25 and older. Our elderly population grew up in a time when education attainment was typically lower, and college attendance was less widespread. As this population is succeeded by younger and increasingly well-educated cohorts, the percent of the population that has attained higher levels of education slowly increases. Not only has the number of diplomas and degrees increased, but their percentage in the population has also increased, indicating a growth in attainment greater than the relative growth in national population.

Educational Attainment in Population 25 Years and Over, 1990-2000

1990

2000

Number

Percent of Total

Number

Percent of Total

Total Population Age 25+

215,823

100.00%

310,918

100.00%

Less than 9th grade

14,712

6.82%

13,370

4.30%

Some high school, no diploma

27,524

12.75%

27,463

8.83%

High school graduate*

71,658

33.20%

90,360

29.06%

Some college, no degree

48,498

22.47%

77,970

25.08%

Associate degree

14,513

6.72%

22,485

7.23%

Bachelor's degree

26,212

12.15%

55,308

17.79%

Graduate or professional degree

12,706

5.89%

23,962

7.71%

* "High school graduate" includes people with the G.E.D. and similar equivalents.